True Faith Grows Deep
“But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.” -- Luke 8:15
He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. -- Psalm 1:3a
Her roots grow deep. She has weathered many a storm in her life. That’s natural for a widow who has passed her 80th birthday. But to lose four friends in four days would be overwhelming for anyone.
Yet her faith stands strong. She speaks of rejoicing that her friends have gone home, that they are no longer trapped in bodies that didn’t function too well anymore. She reminds us that cancer ravages the spirit as well as the body. She speaks of hope and good times.
And, still, she grieves. Her card-playing friend, with whom she and others shared many joyful afternoons, has gone home. I saw her faithfulness as his cancer was diagnosed and his spirit fell into depression. She and others took food several days a week and continued to bring laughter, and card playing, into his life for as long as he was able.
I saw how she prayed and checked on the wife of another friend, as he lay unresponsive in a hospital bed. She spoke of the need for a living will so that spouses and children aren’t faced with agonizing decisions in the final days and moments of our time here on earth.
She shows us all how to live our faith in the midst of tragedy. In times of great grief, it is normal to question God. We don’t understand, especially, when it comes again and again and again and again. Surely it is too much. Unless, of course, your roots grow deep down in the soil.
Jesus spoke of this when He taught the parable of the four soils. The first seeds fell on the ground and were quickly eaten by birds. Then seeds fell on rocky places. The seeds sprouted quickly but didn’t last long. Because the soil was shallow, when the sun came up the plants were scorched and withered and died.
Other seeds fell among thorns, which choked the plants. The last seeds fell on good soil, where they grew and produced much fruit. Why? Because their roots grew deep and they could weather any storm life through at them.
My friend is like that good soil. Life has thrown tragedy at her time and again, yet she still calls herself blessed. Her health, her ability to live alone, being financially comfortable, her friends and family. She counts her blessings. A lesson for us all.
This dear woman teaches us so much by her actions, by her words, by her deep faith.
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